THE DISTRICT OF ZAJEČAR
The District of Zaječar is a part of the Region of Timok and includes the following Municipalities: Boljevac, Zaječar, Knjaževac, Sokobanja. The District encompasses 3.623 km2 with 158.131 people.
The city of Zaječar is the geographical, administrative, economic, political and cultural centre of the District. The territory of the Zaječar valley is mildly mountainous, and the rivers of Crni Timok and Beli Timok pass through the Municipality before they enter the Timok river near Zaječar. There are no natural lakes on the territory of the Municipality; however, there are 3 dam lakes: Grliško, Rogotsko and Sovinac. There are 2 springs of hot mineral water in Gamzigrad Spa and in the village of Nikolićevo. The climate is mildly humid, with hot and dry summers and comparatively cold winters. Economy
The Zaječar District possesses significant potential for the development of agricultural production. Agricultural arable land totals almost 206.086 ha for the whole District, and around 60.000 ha for the Municipality of Zaječar only. All kinds of agricultural production and processing are present in this District - crop farming, cattle breeding, vine and fruit growing.
Forestry is an important potential for the economic development, as well. Forests spread on around 120.000 ha, and the largest part of this land is privately owned. The territory is rich in minerals, metals and coal. Geological reserves of anthracite and lignite amount to 25 million tons, while those of quartz sand amount to 10 million tons. Three mines are working actively on their exploitation (production, processing and transport).
The following industrial branches are present on this territory: industry of non-metals, metal industry, leather and textile industry. A significant number of privatised companies also operate in the field of construction industry.
SMEs are one of major focal points in the development of the District. Most of them operate in trade and catering, but also in transportatation sector and services.
Tourism
This region has an unexplored potential for the development of tourism. The so called “Treasure of the Imperial Road” starts from the Danube and passes to the mountain of Balkan. All tourists are surprised by this piece of heaven offering wonderful lakes, marvelous mountains, plenty of cultural and historical sites, many of them dating from the ancient Roman times.
The most important tourist asset is the abundance of thermo-mineral winter in the spas of Sokobanja, Gamzigrad and Nikolićevo, but also the historical site of 4th century “Rex Romuliana”, the birthplace and residence of Emperor Galerius Valerius Maximillian, the pre-historical archeological site Lepenski vir, etc.
The highest and the most beautiful mountain in the eastern Serbia, a natural border to Bulgaria, mountain Stara Planina raises on 70 km from Niš and 50 km from Knjaževac and Pirot. Mountain Stara Planina represents natural property of an extraordinary importance and is classified as the first category of nature preservation and promoted as Park of Nature. Stara planina represents a huge economic development potential for the whole region.
Transport
The District includes the following main roads: Paraćin - Zaječar – Kula – Vidin; Paraćin – Zaječar – Negotin - Kladovo – Romanian border; Paraćin – Zaječar – Knjaževac – Niš and Kladovo - Negotin – Zaječar – Knjaževac – Niš. The main roads to Vidin and Sofia (except for the main road Belgrade – Donji Milanovac – Kladovo – Negotin) are the shortest road connections between Europe and the rest of Serbia with the northern part of Bulgaria and the southern part of Romania to the Black Sea. THE DISTRICT OF BOR
The District of Bor, together with the District of Zaječar, is a part of the Region of Timok which is situated in the eastern part of Serbia, bordering the Republic of Romania to the north, and the Republic of Bulgaria to the east. The District of Bor encompasses 3.507 km2 with the population of 146.383 people. This region (Zaječar and Bor) is one of the lowest populated regions in Europe.
The centre of the District is the city of Bor, which lies on the river of Bor, surrounded by the Southern Carpathian Mountains and with the territory of 856 km2 and 60.000 inhabitants. The District includes the Municipalities of Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin.
Economy
The basics of all economic activity in the Bor District represents the Copper Mining and Smelting Complex Bor, which accounts for the highest GDP share, and employs amost 25% of the active working population. Bor is widely known for its copper mining potential, which is one of the biggest in Europe. Besides copper, the area is rich in 17 other metals (gold, silver, platinum, aluminium, iron, etc).
Besides copper mining, this District produces 28% of all the electric energy supply in Serbia. The production facilities include Hydroelectric Power Stations "Djerdap 1" and “Djerdap 2“, as well as numerous other smaller power plants. These Power Stations on the Danube were build in partnership with the Republic of Romania and have been working for more than 30 years.
The greatest economic potential of the region lies primariliy in the process of revitalising the exploitation of copper and other materials, but also in the development of agriculture and tourism, and strenghening of private entrepreneurial initiatives. Tourism
The second important characteristic of the District, not otherwise present in industrially developed regions with high level of pollution, is a great natural potential for the development of tourism. 37.1% of the territory of the Municipality of Bor is forest, rich in wild forest life. The most interesting are Dobušnica and Stol hunting grounds, Zlotska, Vernjišica and Lazareva caves, with beautiful cave ornaments and mineral water springs.
Apart from the Danube, as one of the most interesting touristic destinations, the lake of Bor, with its modern car camp and hotel facilities also offers great opportunity for holidays and fishing. The top Crni vrh on Stara Planina mountain, where a new Hyatt Regency hotel is being built alongside other extensive ongoing investment, is an attractive destination for passionate skiiers and winter sports lovers. Transport
Bor is connected to the major railway lines through the regional railway Bor-Niš to the south, and Bor-Belgrade to the north. A modern route connects the area of Bor with the E-75 Belgrade-Niš.
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